The Yevla assembly constituency in Nashik district saw 35.86% turnout by 1 pm, with NCP (SCP) heavyweight Chhagan Bhujbal facing one of the toughest contests of his career. After decades of being the undisputed leader of Yevla, Bhujbal’s dominance is under threat from a combination of political betrayal, community anger and a strong challenge posed by his former ally-turned-rival, Manikrao Shinde, now backed by Sharad Pawar.  

The Incumbent: Chhagan Bhujbal  

A veteran politician with a storied career, Chhagan Bhujbal has represented Yevla for two decades, cementing his influence with development projects such as the 165-km canal that alleviated the region’s water woes. Bhujbal has been a minister in multiple governments, most recently in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition.  

However, his position has been weakened by recent events. Bhujbal's switch to the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP in July 2023, aligning with the BJP-led Mahayuti government, caused ripples among his traditional supporters. His clash with Maratha reservation leader Jarange-Patil has further alienated the Maratha community, who form the largest demographic in Yevla.  

Adding to his woes, Sharad Pawar has openly called for Bhujbal’s defeat, accusing him of betraying the party and its ideology. This call has resonated with the Maratha community, many of whom are now backing Manikrao Shinde.  

The Challenger: Manikrao Shinde  

Manikrao Shinde, son of former MLA Madhukarrao Shinde, is no stranger to Yevla’s political landscape. Once a close associate of Bhujbal, Shinde played a pivotal role in bringing Bhujbal to Yevla under Sharad Pawar’s guidance in 2004. However, their relationship soured, leading Shinde to join Shiv Sena in 2009 to contest against Bhujbal unsuccessfully.  

Now, Shinde has returned to the fold of Sharad Pawar’s NCP and is leveraging the Maratha sentiment to mount a strong challenge. Backed by the Maratha community and non-Maali OBC groups, Shinde’s grassroots campaign has gained traction. Villagers have even initiated a fund-raising drive for his election, signaling a groundswell of support.  

The constituency dynamics  

Yevla has 3.2 lakh voters, with the following breakdown:  

  • Marathas: 1.2 lakh  
  • OBCs: 1 lakh (including 25,000–30,000 Maalis)  
  • Muslims: 35,000  
  • SCs/STs: 15,000 

The Maratha community’s majority status gives Shinde a significant edge, especially with the current anti-Bhujbal sentiment among them. Bhujbal, however, remains optimistic, pointing to his development work and claiming support from some Maratha leaders.  

The 2019 Assembly Results  

  • Chhagan Bhujbal (NCP): 126,237 votes  
  • Sambhaji Sahebrao Pawar (Shiv Sena): 69,712 votes  

A battle of legacies and sentiments  

With Bhujbal fighting to retain his stronghold and Shinde rallying the discontented Maratha vote, the Yevla assembly contest is far from a cakewalk. The outcome will not only determine Bhujbal’s political future but also signal the evolving caste and political dynamics in Maharashtra.